Apathy/Disillusionment

This has probably been brought up before but I just did a search and didn't find a similar thread. My question is: do you feel apathy/disillusionment is a valid excuse for not exercising your right to vote? I personally feel it's a cop out. Sure the system needs to be fixed and I'm not always impressed by the candidates. But to sit out an election is very wrong to me.

Comments (8)

This is complicated for me. I don't understand being unhappy with the government and not voting even if itou think it's pointless. At least try to do something!

On the other hand, if you educate yourself with one news source and blogs that only support your feelings I'd rather you stay home. I work at the polls. It's unbelievable how many people have no idea what is on the ballot until they get to the polls. Last primary I had a few voters ask me how to vote party-line. We are a closed primary state and these were older folks. I tried my hardest to explain this to them without sounding snarky but it was so hard.

I have fought personally with someone that thinks this exact reason. And they always say my vote isn't going to matter so why should I waste my time to vote. I am hoping it just because they are young but I am starting to realize there are more people that have that reaction.

I live in a state SO RED that my vote will never count, ever. Really. Texas just isn't going Democrat (unless Santorum gets the nom!).

Anyway, instead of not vote at all, I have become politically active. If there are Dems in my county, they will know my name. I will be precinct chair. I will run for local office, even if I can't win, just to hold the Republican nominees accountable.

I understand why someone would feel their vote doesn't count. There have been too many elections recently that have been very close. That person who feels there vote don't count would have made a difference.

I also hate it when people don't bother to educate themselves at all on any part of the process...who the candidates are, what the issues are, etc., etc. As FishJen said, I'd rather those people stay home than make a very uninformed choice.